Moss Research Project Aims to Protect Carbon Stores in Flow Country
What happened
The FutureMoss project, valued at £2.7 million, is exploring how sphagnum moss can be made more resistant to drought and changing weather patterns. The research aims to protect the vital carbon stores of Flow Country by developing new varieties of moss that are more resilient to dry conditions. The project involves the University of the Highlands and Islands, the University of Dundee, and the James Hutton Institute.
Why it matters
The research is intended to support the health of peatlands, which are important for carbon storage, biodiversity, and water retention. By creating drought-resistant mosses, the project seeks to help mitigate the effects of long periods of dry weather on these ecosystems.
Who's involved
- University of the Highlands and IslandsCentral participant in the FutureMoss research project.
- University of DundeeCollaborating university involved in the FutureMoss project.
- James Hutton InstituteCo-leading the FutureMoss research project.
- Flow CountryThe location whose vital carbon stores the research aims to protect.
Who could feel it
Possible knock-on effectsThese are possibilities Brind reasoned out, not predictions, and not advice. Most are not stated in any report.
- Flow CountrySpeculative
The protection of peatland carbon stores could influence future carbon credit markets or regulatory requirements for land use.
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The entities involved
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University of the Highlands and Islands
university in Scotland
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University of Dundee
Public research university in Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom
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James Hutton Institute
UK business
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Flow Country
Tentative World Heritage site in Highland, Scotland, UK
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